Prenatal attachment & socio-demographic and clinical factors

Abstract

Introduction A pregnant woman’s bond with her fetus and the quality of the prenatal attachment can be determined by numerous variables. Objectives Determine the socio-demographic and clinical factors’ effect on prenatal attachment. Methods We conducted a transversal descriptive study in a first line clinical practice center and in an university gynecology-obstetrics department. The Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) was used to assess maternal-fetal attachment. Results For the 125 pregnant women that participated in our study, 99,2% were married with consanguinity for 14,4%. The mean marriage duration was 4 years and 3 months. Women were illiterate in 3,2% and more than the half (54,4 %) were unemployed. On average, the current pregnancy was their second one. Pregnancy was spontaneous in 85,6%, unplanned in 71,2% and not desired in 29,6%. Sex of the fetus was not desired by the mother in 40,8%. Dysgravidia complicated 32% of the pregnancies with hospitalization in 25,6%. Fetal health problems were detected in 7,2%. A psychiatric trouble has been reported by 4% of the pregnancies. The total score of PAI ranged from 27 to 82 in our sample. We found a statistically significant negative correlation between PAI and duration of marriage (p=0,012); PAI and gestation number (p=0,039) ; and a correlation between PAI and the planning of the pregnancy (p=0,030). Conclusions Socio-demographic and clinical factors should be taken in consideration while evaluating pregnant women at risk of perinatal psychological difficulties. Conflict of interest No significant relationships.